Council to consult over new scheme at Gasworks

BELFAST City Council is preparing a new masterplan to develop a major waterfront site.

The Gasworks already houses a number of developments, including offices and a hotel. But the remaining area, the so-called Northern Fringe, has yet to be redeveloped.

It is possible that the blueprint will include a “mixture of uses including new homes, commercial and leisure/tourism facilities”, according to the council.

It is now carrying out a pre-application community consultation to help develop the scheme before an outline planning application is submitted.

Concern had been voiced by some politicians and residents living close to the site that the scheme would be office-focused, and exclude other development such as social housing.

The council is hosting two events, the first taking place on Friday between 1pm and 7pm at Cromac Regeneration Initiative on Donegall Pass.

The second is being held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Friday, November 24, and will run from 1pm to 7pm.

The proposal is being brought forward by architects Consarc and consultants Aecom.

Meanwhile, a Northern Ireland property developer is set to build a £12m waterfront office block and cafe at the Gasworks site.

Cromac Quay Ltd wants to build the new scheme on the Ormeau Road.